NSA Engages Anthropic’s Mythos AI Model for Advanced Cyber Operations

The National Security Agency (NSA) is reportedly gearing up to use Anthropic’s cutting-edge cybersecurity AI model, Mythos, as part of its operations. According to a report by the Financial Times, citing anonymous sources, six engineers from Anthropic have been dispatched to work with NSA personnel on specific applications for Mythos.

However, it remains unclear whether these efforts involve active use in hacking operations or are more focused on defensive measures and intelligence gathering. The NSA is known for its extensive activities in collecting intelligence through various means, including wiretaps, undersea cables, and corporate partnerships, as well as conducting offensive cyberattacks against foreign adversaries.

Earlier this year, Axios reported that the NSA was using Mythos despite a federal ban on Anthropic’s technology. This ban stemmed from the Department of Defense designating Anthropic as a “supply-chain risk” in retaliation for the company's refusal to allow the government to use its models for mass domestic surveillance and autonomous weapons.

Anthropic has been proactive about limiting access to Mythos, citing concerns that its capabilities could be exploited to discover security flaws and carry out hacks. The NSA’s move to work closely with Anthropic highlights the growing importance of AI in cybersecurity and intelligence operations.

In a statement to TechCrunch, an NSA spokesperson declined to confirm or deny the report. Anthropic also did not respond to requests for comment.